Saturday, March 5, 2011

As any marketing executive or parent can tell you, words have an impact- should have an impact. Some words can cause instant joy or instant revulsion. Think of the following list of words:

Child abuseMurderAuschwitzHellAbortionIncestHolocaustRape

Each should invoke a shudder; a flinch, a sense of revulsion or horror. That is important, especially in society today. When words are used in a false way or in an inappropriate way for shock value, they lessen the true impact of the word; they change the actual meaning of the word itself.

Lately, I have noticed a trend to use the word 'rape' or 'raped' when meaning haven been taken advantage of; or of having been tricked out or deprived of something. This is an appalling misuse of this word. It does a tremendous disservice to those who have suffered such a brutal, horrible crime. It negates the severity and the shock of such a crime.

Fetus is another word that has been turned by the evil empire, Planned Parenthood, into a scientific and therefore cold and technical word. Never mind that fetus means little one. Although, nothing PP says can be believed since they claim to want abortions to be 'safe, legal and rare'. Thus far, they've only made one of those true: legal.

It is important to think about the words we use and how we use them. I was always chided in school to be careful of too much hyperbole. I'm irish. I like to tell a good story and might exaggerate just a wee bit. But, it can get out of hand. I need to myself watch what I say and say only what I mean.

Be aware of what others say and what they truly mean. As Jesus admonished, let our 'yes' mean 'yes' and our 'no' mean 'no'.

O Mary, conceived without sin, grant us the grace to follow your Son and lead us always to Him. Amen.